Ramp device for automatic train-control apparatus



D;I J. BlssELL, JR` f RAMP 'DEvicjEl Fon AUTOMATIC TRAIN -coNTRoLl APPARATUS Filed 'Ma'.v 1, 1925 Patented .lune 3, 1924.

OFFICE,

DAVID J. BIssRLI., JR., or SPOKANR, WASHINGTON, AssIGNoR To OTIs AUTOIVIATIC l TRAIN CONTROL INCORPORATED, or sroKANE, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION or WASHINGTON.

RAMP DEVICE FOR .AUTOMATIC TRAIN-CONTROL APPARATUS. y

Application filed May 1, 1823.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, DAVID J. BISSELL, J r., a citizen of the United States, and resident of Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of 'Washingtom have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ramp `Devices for Automatic Train-Control Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to track mechanism for automatic train control apparatus, and has particular reference to an improved ramp device as and for the purpose set forth in my copending application serially numbered 635,895.

In the accompanying drawingswhich are illustrative of my improvements in a preferred form and wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a ramp device embodying the novel and essential features of my invention;

Figure 2, a longitudinal section therethrough; and

Figure 3, a transverse section on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be observed that my improved ramp device consists of an elongated, substantially rectangular casing 10 to one end of which is pivoted, as at 11, the outer extremity of a ramp rail 12, which ramp rail, at its inner end, is pivoted as at 13, to the inner end of a second ramp rail 14 that, at its outer extremity, rests upon a roller 15 or is directly slidably engaged with the other end of the casing, as may be desired. Thus said ramp rails are capable of being depressed and elevated with respect to the casing as is manifest.

Within the casing 10 is a lever 16 that is intermediately pivoted as at 17, and weighted at one end as at 18, whereby a roller 19 on its other end is held normally in contact with one of the ramp rails and said rails as a result held normally elevated. By this arrangement it is manifest that upon downward movement of that end of the lever -16 carrying roller 19, the inuence of weight 18 upon the ramp rails is removed and said rails as a result will assume a horizontal position under the influence of gravity.

Serial No. 635,900.

Within the casing 10 is mounted a solenoid 20, the core 21 of which is connected with lever 16 as indicated at 22, While the field thereof has leading thereto from without the casing, conductors 23, 24. In one of said conductors, herein shown as conductor 23, is a switch 25 that is maintained open by the weight 18 on lever 16 when said lever is in its normal position shown in Figure 2 holding vthe ramp rails elevated, but that is adapted to close automatically when the weight is raised a relatively slight distance as is manifest. Also arranged in one of said conductors is another switch 26 that 1is closed normally, but that is socontrolled `by a float device 27 that in the event of an excess quantity of water collecting within the casing, it will automatically open. Conductors 23, 24 lead to switch devices of any preferred type (not shown) operable by the usual block signals, so that when a given signal is set at stop or caution position, the circuit through said conductors to its related ramp device or devices will be deenergized, and when the signal is in clear position, the circuit will be energized.

In View of the foregoing, the operation of my improved ramp device is apparent and as follows: When a given block or zone of trackage is clear and the usual signals so indicate that fact, the circuit through conductors 23, 24, although energized, is maintained broken by switch 25 and the ramp rails are maintained elevated by weight 18. Upon contact of the shoe of a ramp valve with one of the ramp rails, however, with resultant slight depression of the ramp rails and lifting of weight 18, said switch. will close and the solenoid iield will become energized, thus retracting the core 21 and allowing the ramp rails to fall by gravity to horizontal posit-ion whereby the shoe of the ramp valve will be unaiected. The circuit will then remain closed until deenergized by movement of a signal to stop or caution position, following which the ramp rails will assume their normal elevated position. On the other hand, if the signal controlling a given ramp device is set at stop position, the circuit through the solenoid field will be deenergized and the resistance of weight 18 to downward movement of the ramp rails will result in said rails remaining elevated, so that when the shoe of a ramp valve strikes the same, consequent actuation of such ramp valve will result.

From the foregoing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages ot' my improved ramp valve will be clearly understood. It is desired to point out, however, that various changes and desirable additions may loe made in and to the same within the spirit and scope of my invention as dened in the appended claims.

I claim l. A ramp device for auotmatic train control apparatus, including a projectable and depressihle ramp rail, weight operated means to project said ramp rail, electrical means to hold said weight operated, means ineffective to project said ramp rail, electric conductors leading to said electrical means, and a switch in one of said conductors held open by said weight operated means in a projected position of said ramp rail.

2. A ramp device for automatic train control apparatus including a projectable and depressible ramp rail, an intermediately pivoted lever weighted at one end and at its other end carrying a roller adapted to con tact with said ramp rail to maintain the latter normally projected, electrical means to hold said weight operated means ineffecifi-eaves tive to project said ramp rail, and anautomatically closable switch held open by said weight operated means in the normal position oi the latter, said switch being eiiective to control the operation of said electrical means.

3. A ramp device for automatic train control apparatus including a casing, a projectable and retractable ramp rail carried by said casing, weight operated means to project said ramp rail, electrical means to hold said weight operated means ineffective to project said ramp rail, electrical conductors leading to said electrical means, and a float controlled normally closed switch in one of said conductors.

4. A ramp device for automatic train control apparatus including a casing, a ramp rail carried loy said casing movable to active and inactive positions, weight operated means to move said ramp rail to active position, electrical means to hold saidv weight operated means inell'ective to hold said ramp rail in active position, electrical conductors leading to said electrical means, a normally closed switch in one of said conductors, and means automatically operable upon collection of a predetermined amount of water within said casing to open said switch.

ln testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

DAVllD J. BSSELL, Jn` 

